God Approved or only Man Approved?

What Jesus Said - The Sermon on the Mount

Jesus did good deeds as a matter of course and quietly. His emphasis was on doing them. Character and generosity are their own reward. God rewards you for your kindness and good deeds.  Look for God’s approval, not “the public” or  friends (who can turn on you in a second)!

Matthew 6:1-4 (TLB) 1 “Take care! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, for then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give a gift to a beggar, don’t shout about it as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you in all earnestness, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you do a kindness to someone, do it secretly—don’t tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. 4 And your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.

11/9/2025

How to be Perfect

What Jesus Said - The Sermon on the Mount

In today’s use of the word, to be perfect is to never make a mistake. In Greek, (the language of the New Testament), it means to align yourself with God’s deep love, holiness, forgiveness and grace. Learn what these things are and do your best to make it part of your character. 

Matthew 5:48 (TLB) 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

11/2/2025

Love your Enemy

 

What Jesus Said - The Sermon on the Mount

Seeing evil persons prosper galls everyone, but Jesus said misfortune and good things come to all - good and evil alike.  Anyone can dislike another, even with just cause, but Jesus asks you to rise to a new level of respectfulness. Pray for all who mistreat you and ask God to bless them.

Matthew 5:43-47 (TLB) 43 “There is a saying, ‘Love your friends and hate your enemies.’ 44 But I say: Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way you will be acting as true sons of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust too. 46 If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even scoundrels do that much. 47 If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even the heathen do that.

10/26/2025

Go the Extra Mile

 

What Jesus Said - The Sermon on the Mount

Jesus said to have a generous spirit even in contentious situations.  Go the extra mile (as he did). If you must go to prison, be a positive person in that population. If you are asked to give, be a giver (as well as you are able) and know that all humans are weak vessels.

Matthew 5:40-42 (TLB) 40 If you are ordered to court, and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat too. 41 If the military demand that you carry their gear for a mile, carry it two. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.

10/19/2025

Turn the Other Cheek

What Jesus Said - The Sermon on the Mount

A “slap in the face” in Bible times meant a verbal insult, not a physical assault. To turn the other cheek symbolized talking your differences out face-to-face, if you could. If you want to move toward resolution, your ego must be kept in check. Returning insults won’t get you there. 

Matthew 5:38-39 (TLB) 38 “The law of Moses says, ‘If a man gouges out another’s eye, he must pay with his own eye. If a tooth gets knocked out, knock out the tooth of the one who did it.’ 39 But I say: Don’t resist violence! If you are slapped on one cheek, turn the other too.

10/12/2025

Say Yes or Say No Only

What Jesus Said - The Sermon on the Mount

Don’t promise or do anything you know God will not bless. God’s desire is that you be trustworthy, just as he is. When you live in this way, you will have what you need to follow through on your promises. Keep it simple, as God does, and you will be a trustworthy person.

Matthew 5:33-37 (TLB) 33 “Again, the law of Moses says, ‘You shall not break your vows to God but must fulfill them all.’ 34 But I say: Don’t make any vows! And even to say ‘By heavens!’ is a sacred vow to God, for the heavens are God’s throne. 35 And if you say ‘By the earth!’ it is a sacred vow, for the earth is his footstool. And don’t swear ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the capital of the great King. 36 Don’t even swear ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. 37 Say just a simple ‘Yes, I will’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Your word is enough. To strengthen your promise with a vow shows that something is wrong.

10/5/2025

The Seriousness of Divorce

What Jesus Said - The Sermon on the Mount

God restores, forgives and perseveres with you. The same is required in marriage and with children. Faithfulness and care for others, not just your own desires, is developed and rooted in marriage. Marriage is that important!  Divorce is not taken lightly for that reason. 

Matthew 5:31-32 (TLB) 31 “The law of Moses says, ‘If anyone wants to be rid of his wife, he can divorce her merely by giving her a letter of dismissal.’ 32 But I say that a man who divorces his wife, except for fornication, causes her to commit adultery if she marries again. And he who marries her commits adultery.

9/28/2025

What Comes Before Adultery

 

What Jesus Said - The Sermon on the Mount

Adultery doesn’t just appear, it comes after letting lustful thoughts linger and consume you (and sex is just one way of lusting). Jesus said when the thoughts come, stop them immediately. You approach it with the seriousness of metaphorically gouging out your own eye.

Matthew 5:27-30 (TLB) 27 “The laws of Moses said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say: Anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 So if your eye—even if it is your best eye!—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. Better for part of you to be destroyed than for all of you to be cast into hell. 30 And if your hand—even your right hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. Better that than find yourself in hell.

9/21/2025

Jesus Came to Fulfill the Law

 

What Jesus Said - The Sermon on the Mount

Jesus, named “Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace,” was sent to create a better understanding of the laws of Moses and the warnings of the prophets. The road to God’s freedom is not always fast, but the most important road to take. 

Matthew 5:17-19 (TLB) 17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come—it isn’t to cancel the laws of Moses and the warnings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfill them and to make them all come true. 18 With all the earnestness I have I say: Every law in the Book will continue until its purpose is achieved. 19 And so if anyone breaks the least commandment and teaches others to, he shall be the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But those who teach God’s laws and obey them shall be great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

8/31/2025

Come to Terms Quickly with your Enemy

What Jesus Said - The Sermon on the Mount

Jesus said murder is rooted in, and cultivated from, simple every day anger. This is best handled day to day:  Admit you are angry or have wronged another. Go to the other person(s).  Discuss, apologize, forgive. God will bless your efforts as you do it his way.

Matthew 5:21-26 (TLB) But I have added to that rule and tell you that if you are only angry, even in your own home, you are in danger of judgment! If you call your friend an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse him, you are in danger of the fires of hell. 23 “So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and suddenly remember that a friend has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there beside the altar and go and apologize and be reconciled to him, and then come and offer your sacrifice to God. 25 Come to terms quickly with your enemy before it is too late and he drags you into court and you are thrown into a debtor’s cell, 26 for you will stay there until you have paid the last penny.

9/14/2025

Blind to God's Mercies, Love and Kindness

 

The Sermon on the Mount - What Jesus Said

It is good to have knowledge and principles you consistently uphold, but the Pharisees were negatively focused on rule following. They were blind to the mercies, love and kindnesses God extended to them all through history. This made them a menace to themselves and others.

Matthew 5:20 (TLB) “But I warn you—unless your goodness is greater than  that of the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders, you can’t get into the Kingdom of heaven at all!

9/7/2025

Bringing Light into Darkness

The Sermon on the Mount - What Jesus Said

Jesus used light to describe his presence. This light affects all creation. It represents intelligence, hope and guidance that is unavailable to those in the dark. Believers are shown ways to raise their faith and standards of behavior into the light that brings hope for all.

Matthew 5:14-16 (TLB) 14 You are the world’s light—a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see. 15-16 Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.

8/24/2026 

Salt of the Earth

 

The Sermon on the Mount - What Jesus Said

Relationship with God is how you enjoy and find meaning in life.  Each purpose you live (of which you will have many), speaks of the intelligence of God for you. He is the creator of sanity and balance. There would only be darkness if not for the obedience of God’s people.

Matthew 5:13 (MSG) 13 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt - seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

8/17/25

Blessed are the Persecuted

 

What Jesus Said - The Sermon on the Mount

The enemy is triggered when you side with the Lord; living in the ways of Jesus can put you at risk. In fact, he says to expect it, for nothing more than trying to love and forgive.  Wanting to be a vessel of the Lord, to love as he did, provokes evil where you may not expect it. 

Matthew 5:10-12 (TLB) 10 Happy are those who are persecuted because they are good, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 11 “When you are reviled and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers—wonderful! 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! for a tremendous reward awaits you up in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted too.

8/10/2025

Blessed are the Peacemakers

 

What Jesus Said - The Sermon on the Mount

Jesus is an example of how you work for peace within and at the same time, have peace with others, in these ways: 1) He talked with God all the time.  2) He knew scripture.  3) He was straightforward.  4) He respected all segments of society.  5) He did not work for governments, he worked for God.  

Matthew 5:9 (TLB) 9 Happy are those who strive for peace—they shall be called the sons of God.

8/3/2025

Blessed are the Pure in Heart

 

What Jesus Said - The Sermon on the Mount

If your motives are not pure, if you are manipulative as a matter of habit, you will not recognize God. If you are not an honest person, your heart is not pure. Make this decision with God: Talk to him and surrender in the purest and simplest way you can, and he will meet you there.

Matthew 5:8 (TLB) 8 Happy are those whose hearts are pure, for they shall see God.

7/27/2025

Blessed are the Merciful

 

What Jesus Said - The Sermon on the Mount

To know kindness and mercy, seek Jesus and his ways. He is kind and merciful and when you experience it from him, you will learn just how to wonderful it is.  Left to human instinct alone, this world is a sorry mess. Jesus can change all that, in an instant and over time. 

Matthew 5:7 (TLB)  7 Happy are the kind and merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.

7/20/2025

Blessed are the Meek

 

What Jesus Said - the Sermon on the Mount

Many problems come from trying to be someone you aren’t.  False identities are revealed in time.  Meekness is when you realize God made you perfectly for who you are to be.  When you accept this, you can develop into much more than you ever thought possible.

Matthew 5:5 (MSG) 5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

7/13/2025

Blessed are those who Mourn

 What Jesus Said - The Sermon on the Mount

This earthly world is too often one of sorrow.  Jesus said God acts when you are a mourning emotional state.  No matter whose fault or the circumstance of the loss, when you turn to him, his love, comfort and guidance are pure gold.  He loves for you to seek him in this way. 

 

Matthew 5:4 (TLB) 4 Those who mourn are fortunate! for they shall be comforted.

7/6/2025

The Kingdom of God Belongs to the Humble

 

What Jesus Said - The Sermon on the Mount

You can’t hear God while arrogant or proud. Instead, something occurs where you shift from thinking you don’t need God to seeing yourself as you really are: You don’t know anything about the things that really matter.  When you reach that point, you can begin to let God work in you.

Matthew 5:3 (TLB) 3 “Humble men are very fortunate!” he told them, “for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.

6/29/2025